Who Said It, Hegseth or a Movie Character?

Now that the US is at war, it's important not to forget that the Pentagon is led by a former Fox News host who likes to sound like a tough guy. We haven't.

In times of crisis, it’s always comforting to know that capable leaders can use their vast experience and expertise to steer the United States through any rough patch. Conversely, Americans rightfully feel nervous when those at the helm have no idea what they are doing, like when FEMA Director Michael Brown, whose main qualification was a stint as Judges and Stewards Commissioner for the International Arabian Horse Association, did a “heck of a job” responding to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

However, compared to the current group of dilettantes, “Brownie” was a true virtuoso of public service, which is part of what makes this moment so scary.

With yet another Republican president having started yet another war (or whatever the Trump administration is calling it) in the Middle East, it’s frightening to think about the cast of amateurs leading the US’s national security team: from a corrupt felon with various mental disorders and his son-in-law, who is laden with conflicts of interest; a TV show host with a drinking problem; and a puppy-killing cosplayer to Marco Rubio and JD Vance, a couple of lickspittles who will do and say anything to be next in line for the throne.

Since he goaded the US into the conflict, perhaps we should also include Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes and was indicted for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust back home.

To be fair, what this motley crew lacks in competence and morals, it makes up for in false bravado.

This is especially true in the case of Secretary of Major Combat Operations Pete Hegseth, who tries really hard to look and sound the part of one of those warfighters he prattles on and on about all the time.

And that got us thinking (since all of us can use some levity now and then in dark times): Having been forced to listen to him talk about “Operation Epic Fury,” would our readers be able to tell snippets of Hegseth’s speech apart from quotes from iconic movies?

That is why we decided to put you to the test.

Below, you will find sets of quotes that were either spoken by Hegseth this week or by a military officer in a major motion picture (we have reserved the right to slightly alter them to obscure their origin).

We wanted to also include Trump, but he said this on Monday at a Medal of Honor presentation in the White House, and there is no equivalent in movies (or in Queer Eye, or in Property Brothers – believe us, we checked):

See that nice drape? When that comes down right now you see a very, very deep hole, but in about a year and half from now, you’re gonna see a very, very beautiful building. And there’s your entrance to it right there. In fact, I think I’ll even, I’ll save money on the doors because you can’t get more beautiful than that. I picked those drapes in my first term. I always liked gold, but I think we can save a lot of money. I just saved, I just saved curtains. It’ll be spectacular, it’ll be the most beautiful ballroom. I believe it’s because I’ve built many a ballroom. I believe it’s going to be the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world.

President Trump participates in a Medal of Honor ceremony on March 2, 2026. Photo Credit: The White House (PD)

Let’s just do Hegseth instead.

If you get all of them right, we’ll even offer you a subscription to one of our free newsletters.

Here we go:

Which of the following did Fox News Pete say?

a. “Peace through strength,” “the warrior ethos,” “lethality,” “unity of purpose,” those are not slogans. They’re the beating heart of what it means to wear the uniform, that uniform.

b. We use words like “honor,” “code,” “loyalty.” We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line.

What about these two?

c. We’re going over there and bringing the most lethal killing machine ever devised. We’re capable of launching more firepower than has ever been released in the history of war.

d. We are warriors, trained to kill the enemy and break their will. History is watching. Be the force you swore an oath to be focused, disciplined, lethal, and unbreakable.

Here is another one.

e. Now, we don’t make policy here, gentlemen. Elected officials, civilians, do that. We are the instruments of that policy. And although we’re not at war, we must always act as though we are at war.

f. We fight to win. We fight to achieve the objectives the President of the United States has laid out and we will do so unapologetically.

Last one. Which one is from Hegseth and which one is from a movie?

g. No stupid rules of engagement […], no politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives.

h. Americans play to win all the time. An army is a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap.

Not so easy, right? As we told you, Hegseth is really trying to sound like one of those tough guys from the movies. After all, you don’t get to be a co-host of a top-rated talk show by being a weakling.

In case you are wondering, his quotes were letters a, d, f, and g.

The others (in order) are from A Few Good Men, Crimson Tide, Top Gun, and Patton.

If you got every one correct, you can sign up for one of our free newsletters. And if you didn’t, then you really should sign up and stay up to date with what’s going on in the world.